Hong Kong authorities reported on December 3, 2025, that the official death toll from the catastrophic blaze at Wang Fuk Court has escalated to 159, marking one of the city’s deadliest residential fires. Following the completion of internal searches across the estate’s seven residential blocks, police are transitioning to complicated recovery efforts around the complex’s periphery, where collapsed scaffolding may conceal additional victims. Simultaneously, law enforcement is aggressively addressing associated criminal activity, including fraud and alleged regulatory infractions related to fire safety.
Post-Search Recovery and Identification
Police Commissioner Joe Chow confirmed that investigators have finished the systematic search inside all towers at Wang Fuk Court. Of the 159 confirmed fatalities, 140 individuals have been tentatively identified, with forensic pathologists working to confirm the remaining 19.
The recovery operation now faces significant hazards outside the buildings. Officials have highlighted concerns that sections of external scaffolding, which collapsed during the initial blaze, likely cover human remains at ground level. Before demolition crews can clear the ash and debris, joint safety assessments with the Housing Department are underway to mitigate risks from highly unstable sections still suspended from facades. Authorities cautioned that while they aim to expedite removal, immediate action is hampered by these structural dangers.
Fatality figures show an overwhelming concentration in two structures: Wang Cheong House recorded 70 deaths, and Wang Tai House accounted for 82. Minimal casualties were reported in the remaining houses. Forensic teams from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit are processing fragments and suspected human bones discovered in various flats. These samples have been sent to the Government Laboratory for DNA testing and analysis, a critical step in establishing positive identification for those reported missing. Authorities stress that the final death toll could be adjusted pending laboratory results.
Casualties and Ongoing Care
Hospital authorities provided updated figures on survivors: 42 injured residents have been discharged. Of the 37 still receiving care, four are in critical condition, nine are serious, and 24 are stable. Concerns remain for 31 residents who are still unaccounted for. Among the confirmed dead are 11 foreign domestic workers—10 from Indonesia and one from the Philippines—highlighting the international dimension of the tragedy.
Enforcement Actions Address Aftermath Crimes
In parallel with the recovery effort, the police force is taking action against crimes related to the disaster. The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau arrested a 32-year-old man for an online fraud scheme. The suspect allegedly used social media accounts to pose as fire victims, convincing four people to transfer a total of HK$25,500 between November 29 and December 1. Police have secured the removal of the fraudulent posts and suspended the associated payment accounts.
In a separate regulatory investigation, six employees associated with a fire services installation contractor were arrested. They face allegations of making false statements to the Fire Services Department, specifically concerning the necessity of shutting down alarms during maintenance work.
Police continue to appeal for public assistance, having received 40 tips, including photos and videos, via the public tip line. Officials reiterated the importance of submitting verified information and avoiding the spread of unsubstantiated rumors.
The investigation is now prioritizing establishing certainty in victim identification through DNA and other forensic methods, ensuring that families can achieve dignified closure. Concurrent reviews are examining building systems, evacuation efficacy, and the structural factors that led to the disproportionate loss of life in the most impacted towers.